This is the formal written submission from the DSCC to the virtual European sub-regional consultation process on the implementation of the United Nations Environment Assembly Resolution 4/19 on Mineral Resource Governance, submitted September 10, 2020.
Mining of the deep seabed beyond national jurisdiction, known as the Area, is administered by the International Seabed Authority (ISA) and may be carried out by a contractor sponsored by a State Party. It is vital that States consider the complex legal risks, responsibilities and potential liability for damage that can arise from the sponsorship of seabed mining activities in the Area | Author: Duncan Currie LL.B. (Hons.) LL.M
On February 3, 2020, the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition issued a memo to over 100 Permanent Missions to the United Nations and related organizations in New York. The memo refers to a workshop entitled “To explore the Case for Sourcing Battery Metals from Ocean Nodules and Nori’s Program to Assess Environmental and Social Impacts” scheduled for 5-6 February 2020 in San Diego and organized by speculative deep-sea mining companies DeepGreen and NORI.
In a rush to move this industry forward, proponents such as the workshop organizers have positioned the discussion around the questions of “when and how”, rather than the more fundamental question of “if” deep-sea mining should ever be permitted, and under what circumstances. Individuals and organizations around the world are increasingly calling for a moratorium on deep-sea mining out of concern for the damage it would cause to the fragile and yet-undiscovered ecosystems and species of the deep, and in the context of the urgent need to leave behind the extractive economic model in favour of a transformational approach that respects our planetary boundaries.
In this memo, we have compiled at a topline level some of the key arguments against the need for deep-sea mining.
Read the memo here (PDF).
This study undertakes a legal and policy analysis of Deep Sea Mining (DSM) in the Pacific region, providing an overall mapping of the legislative status of DSM in eleven Pacific Islanf nations and additional in-depth case study analyses of Tonga, Papua New Guinea, and Fiji.
Author: A report by Blue Ocean Law and The Pacific Network on Globalisation
Available in English.
Presentation by Matthew Gianni Co-founder, political and policy advisor Deep Sea Conservation Coalition
(Partner: Midas Project and Atlas Projects)
Bring Deep Sea Mining to the surface!
Environmental considerations and a need to shed light on decision-making European Parliament 24 January 2018
Available in English.
The MIDAS project (Managing Impacts of Deep-seA reSource exploitation) ran from 2013-2016, covering a wide array of topics all aimed at helping the nascent deep-sea mining industry, regulators and civil society to understand the potential impacts of mining on deep-sea ecosystems.
Available in English.
‘Mining the deep sea: environmental, political, and socialchallenges’ is a presentation given by Matthew Gianni.
Available in English.
Publications related to the International Seabed Authority Meeting in July 2016.
Source: UNEP Global Environmental Alert Service (GEAS)
The deep ocean, the largest biome on Earth at over 1000 metres below the surface of the ocean, holds vast quantities of untapped energy resources, precious metals and minerals. Advancements in technology have enabled greater access to these treasures. As a result, deep sea mining is becoming increasingly possible.
Available in English.
